Defensemen Make Roster Push

Coral Springs — The Panthers are in need of more size to protect star goalie Roberto Luongo, with only 235-pound Branislav Mezei on the roster providing the necessary bulk.

The future might bring help. In the team's development camp that ended Friday, there were eight defensemen who are at least 6 feet 3.

"The last three drafts, we tried to place emphasis on big, physical defensemen that are mobile," said Scott Luce, director of amateur scouting. "Also, who have a bit of an edge to their game."

Victor Uchevatov, 20, Martin Tuma, 18, and Martin Lojek, 18, took the first day of development camp and made an impression. While the first day may be more of an icebreaker for most, those three were pounding, checking and pushing around anyone who came into their path.

Asked about his first-day tactics, the 6-4, 205-pound Uchevatov laughed.

"I know exactly what you're talking about," he said. "I didn't mean it. It's only July, and I'm just trying to make the team."

The aggressiveness became more punishing throughout the two-week camp.

"Our main objective is to reduce our shots-against, significantly," Luce said. "Roberto is a strong goaltender in the league, and we'd like to make his job easier, not harder."

"These young guys all have a physical aspect to them," said Hall of Fame defenseman Denis Potvin, the Panthers' television analyst. "Some are more aggressive than others. You can develop it simply by instilling it in their mind, that rather than waving their stick they got to take the body."

Potvin, who was helping out during the development camp, said the defenseman knew how to handle the puck well and were good skaters.